Just when you thought we were done with backyards (we shared the duplex backyards last week), we’re back with another one — this time the beach house backyard. It started out in a pretty lackluster state, so we’re excited to show the transformation. It might be one of our favorite updates to date. The space is small, but now it feels functional and useful for our family — we use it all the time — and it’s dramatically better than where we started.
There’s a lot packed into a relatively small footprint, and that density is actually what creates the cozy, private feeling here — even though we’re surrounded by neighbors. Let’s flash back to October 2016 when we bought the property and inherited an overgrown jungle.
A few weeks later we cleared brush and weeds, which was also the project that gave me the worst case of poison ivy of my life. #memories
We got off to a rocky start, but the backyard has become one of our favorite places. We spend evenings out there whenever we’re in Cape Charles.
The final result felt even sweeter because the project was delayed longer than planned. We meant to work on this in fall 2017 after the contractor finished the interior, but a new project (the duplex) distracted us and the backyard was back-burnered. For the first few months in the finished beach house this was the view out the back door:
When the town delayed our duplex plans in early 2018 we briefly turned attention back to the beach house yard. Sean and his crew cleared overgrown vegetation and the old rusted metal shed, and we began planning a new shed. The old shed sat about two feet onto our neighbor’s property, and local setback rules meant a new structure would have to be two feet back from the revised property line — which would push a new shed four feet further into the yard than the old one. Sherry initially didn’t want a shed; I argued for one because we needed storage for beach chairs, umbrellas, and floats. Spoiler: I was right.
By the time we agreed on a plan, the duplex work resumed and this backyard sat in the mud for nearly a year. Having a muddy, unfinished yard made wet sandy kids — even after the outdoor shower — track mud into the house, so finishing it became a priority.
We temporarily improved things with a hot tub we bought in August. The area around the hot tub was still a grassy, muddy mess, so we laid a few pavers for a mud-free path. It worked but felt subpar until we completed the patio.
Once the duplex crew finished their interior work earlier this year, we finally tackled both backyards at once. Doing three sheds and three patios together saved money on bulk materials like stone and Hardie plank siding.
The new shed was custom built in place by Sean’s crew with Hardie plank, the same pink paint color as the house (Mellow Coral by Sherwin-Williams), and a matching tin roof. Surprisingly, building it on site cost less than trucking in a pre-built shed of the same size.
After the patio crew finished in March, it was up to us to add furnishings and greenery to make the space inviting.
With a few strategic furnishings and lots of plants, the backyard became a cozy beach house oasis.
Now for some details and the thinking behind them. The shed is my pride and joy — not the old rusty shed. That tree effectively marks our property edge. The setback rules created a 4-foot “dead zone,” but we turned it into a strength by putting the shed doors on that side. That allowed a paver path along the 2′ setback strip and kept door swing from interfering with the patio dining area. It also let us focus on making the more visible sides pretty, like adding a large window box on the front.
I’ll show the inside once it’s organized, but the shed has been a game changer for storage. With no garage or basement at the beach house, all tools, yard equipment, and beach gear were previously scattered inside. The 7′ x 11′ shed fits our needs without taking too much yard space and it also adds privacy and a tucked-in feeling.
We added a small section of fence to close a gap in the neighbor’s barrier. It had to be lower than the lattice fencing because of a shared tree limb, but it balances the yard and will blend as it weathers.
Another big, practical upgrade: permanent hot tub steps. The patio crew built wide stone steps on a cinder block base covered with the same pavers. They’re stable, useful for holding drinks, and provide extra seating — a perfect multi-function addition that our kids and guests love.
For dining we wanted seating for six between the shed and the hot tub. We found a compact seven-piece set that fits the narrow space and works well for family meals.
A happy accident: the neighboring rusty metal shed covered in ivy used to bother us, but the greenery now contributes to the tucked-in vibe of the yard and we’d rather it stay than be replaced.
Across from the hot tub is the outdoor shower. We installed the same vinyl shower kit we used at the duplex, and it’s become one of the most used showers in the house. We recently trimmed some ivy to keep it from encroaching too much, but we like the idea of a little greenery over the shower for the feel of an outdoor garden rinse.
That same area looked very different when we bought the house — complete with a shoddy awning we removed ourselves. The back door is the same one, just repainted in a cheerful SW Pale Patina.
Sherry deserves credit for carving out the lounge area next to the back stairs. We initially considered a planting bed there, but extending the patio to the house created space for a reclining spot — perfect for drying off after the hot tub, reading, or relaxing. She wanted two side-by-side lounge chairs; after searching we found a lounge set that fits the walkway without sticking out too far. It’s flexible and works as seating, a daybed, or a footrest.
We’re still figuring out plantings. Some plants, like boxwoods and lamb’s ear, were planted earlier in the spring and have already filled in, while others went in just days ago. Time will tell how everything settles.
We’re excited to see the window box fill in. It has a self-watering system and we planted elephant’s ear for height, sweet potato vine for trailing, and rosemary for a pleasant scent and potential mosquito deterrent. We also planted lavender, mint in a large clam shell planter, and citronella and peppermint in white pots near the hot tub hoping they help repel mosquitoes.
Sherry also shot a short video if you want a sense of walking the space at dusk.
NOTE: If you’re viewing this post in a feed reader, you may need to click through to see the video.
To wrap up, here’s one last before and after. This was the view down our side yard when we bought the house (our tree-covered side on the right).
And here’s that same view today. The new fence matches neighbors’ side-yard fences, gives us privacy, lets our dog Burger roam in the backyard, and even opens double-wide for future golf-cart access. Once it weathers to match the darker tone of the others it will look cohesive from the street.
We hope you enjoyed the tour. This backyard makes us so happy — it feels like the beach house is finally coming together.
*Not completely finished — there are interior areas that could be improved, and the shed interior still needs organizing. More shed shelving and storage solutions are coming soon.
P.S. To see more before & afters and renovation details, there are many posts covering the beach house project.
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